Brian Blade

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Not to be confused with Brian Blades.
Brian Blade

Brian Blade performing August 9, 2008
Background information
Born (1970-07-25) July 25, 1970
Shreveport, Louisiana United States
Genres Jazz, alternative rock, blues rock, jazz fusion
Occupations Musician, bandleader, composer
Instruments Drums, percussion, guitar, violin, recorder
Labels Nonesuch, Columbia, Verve, Blue Note, Warner Bros.
Website www.brianblade.com

Brian Blade (born July 25, 1970) in Shreveport, Louisiana is an American jazz drummer, composer, session musician, and singer-songwriter.[1]

Biography

Early years

Brian Blade was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. The first music he experienced was gospel and songs of praise at the Zion Baptist Church where his father, Brady L. Blade, Sr., has been the pastor for fifty-two years. In elementary school, music appreciation classes were an important part of his development and at age nine, he began playing the violin. Inspired by his older brother, Brady Blade, Jr., who had been the drummer at Zion Baptist Church, Brian shifted his focus to the drums throughout middle and high school. [2]

During high school, while studying with Dorsey Summerfield, Jr., Brian began listening to the music of John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Thelonious Monk, Elvin Jones, and Joni Mitchell. By the age of eighteen, Brian moved to New Orleans to attend Loyola University. From 1988 through 1993, Brian was able to study and play with most of the master musicians living in New Orleans, such as: John Vidacovich, Ellis Marsalis, Steve Masakowski, Bill Huntington, Mike Pellera, John Mahoney, George French, Germaine Bazzle, David Lee, Jr., Alvin Red Tyler, Tony Dagradi and Harold Battiste.[2]

The Fellowship Band and sideman work

In 1997, Brian Blade formed The Fellowship Band with pianist Jon Cowherd. The band members are bassist Chris Thomas, saxophonists Myron Walden and Melvin Butler, guitarist Jeff Parker, pedal steel Guitarist Dave Easley and guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel. The Fellowship Band released their debut album in 1998, their second album, Perceptual in 2000 and their third album, Season of Changes, in 2008.

While continuing to work with The Fellowship Band, Blade has been a member of Wayne Shorter's quartet since 2000. He has recorded with Daniel Lanois, Joni Mitchell, Ellis Marsalis, Marianne Faithfull, Emmylou Harris, Billy Childs, Herbie Hancock, Dorothy Scott and Bob Dylan.

Singer-songwriter work

In 2009, Blade released his first album as a singer-songwriter, Mama Rosa. Songs dedicated to his grandmother and family, written from experiences in his life so far. The album features Daniel Lanois, vocalists Kelly Jones and Daryl Johnson, bassist Chris Thomas, guitarists Kurt Rosenwinkel and Goffrey Moore, pedal steel guitarists Greg Leisz and Patrick Smith, and pianists Aaron Embry and Jon Cowherd. It was co-produced by Brian Blade and Adam Samuels.[3]

Honors

  • 2013: ECHO Jazz Award "International Artist of the Year Drums/Percussion", for Quiver[4]

Equipment

Blade uses vintage Gretsch, Ludwig, Sonor and Slingerland drums. He plays Canopus drums when touring in Japan. Also, his acoustic guitar is a Gibson LG-3 from the mid 50's.

Discography

Blade at INNtöne Jazzfestival 2006

As leader

As co-leader

Trio with Wolfgang Muthspiel and Marc Johnson
  • Real Book Stories (Quinton, 2001)
  • Air, Love and Vitamins (Quinton, 2004)
Duo with Wolfgang Muthspiel
  • Friendly Travelers (Material, 2007)
  • Friendly Travelers Live (Material, 2008)
Trio with Ron Miles and Bill Frisell
  • Quiver (Enja, 2012)

As sideman

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

With Joshua Redman

With Wayne Shorter

With Joni Mitchell

With others

References

  1. ↑ Thomas, Stephen. "Allmusic biography". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 2011-10-06. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Official site – biography". Brianblade.com. July 25, 1970. Retrieved 2011-10-06. 
  3. ↑ Jurek, Thom (April 21, 2009). "Allmusic review – Mama Rosa". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 2011-10-06. 
  4. ↑ "German ECHO JAZZ 2013 Winners Announced". Londonj Jazz News. Retrieved 2013-09-06. 

External links

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